Expandable band



l.. KlAN EXPANDABLE BAND July s, '1969 Filed Aug., I3. l1967 IN VENTOR. f/V460 ,wy/u BY Qa., @7

United States Patent O 3,453,821 EXPANDABLE BAND Leonard Kian, 1032 Sweet Ave. NE., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49505 Filed Aug. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 659,285

Int. Cl. F16g 13/24; A44c 5/08 U.S. Cl. 59-79 8 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND Expandable bracelets or bands such as are utilized to retain a watch on a wearers wrist have become widely accepted in recent years. This acceptance has precipitated a myriad of differing concepts regarding the particular types of construction and fabrication procedures suitable for manufacture, adjustment and utilization of the devices. While a number of these proposals have received generally favorable acceptance in the industry and from the public, all suffer from one or more of a number of distinct disadvantages related to such items as costs of manufacture, ease of adjustment, sturdiness and the like.

Thus, for example, a particular band requiring five or six separate parts for manufacture is naturally more costly than one containing a more` limited number of differing parts. Further, it is difficult to gain access to the rather minute parts for adjustment or replacement and, more importantly, often a band is reassembled by a supposedly qualified workman in an incorrect manner, resulting in either a weak or unsightly connection. Another problem has been encountered in providing some type of device at the ends of the band whereby it may be secured to the watch. If, of course, this particular connection is weak, the functionality of the band is reduced accordingly regardless of the characteristics of the yremainder of the lband.

OBJECTS AND SPECIFICATION It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an expandable band which is not subject to the disadvantages outlined above.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a band which may be fabricated from a relatively small number of different parts, thus resulting in the elimination of production steps and a consequent `reduction in production costs.

It is an object of this invention to provide an expandable band which may be quickly and positively adjusted without regard to the possibility of misalignment, loss of parts and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a band of the type described wherein the decorative or ornamental exterior portions form an integral part of the band and, thus, wherein separate ornamental shells need not be fabricated for placement over the functional portions of the band during fabrication.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a band of the type described employing end pieces suitable for direct attachment to a watch or the like which are an integral part of the band and, thus, structurally sound.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide 3,453,821 Patented July 8, 1969 a band of the type described which may be worn by the user without the discomfort of pinching and the like.

These as well as other objects of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a band segment fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view, partially in cross section, of a series of connected links in retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 with the :band segment expanded;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating one of'the links twisted with respect to the remainder of the band segments; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a typical spring component.

Briefly, this invention comprises an expandable bracelet having a series of resiliently connected links, each of the links having a body section oriented generally parallel to the reach of the bracelet. Adjacent links are disposed in reverse fashion with respect to one another and are connected by the telescopic engagement of generally spiral-like members extending continuously from either end of each of the body sections. The spiral-like connecting members permit relative movement of the links with respect to one another and spring means are provided for resiliently maintaining the links in abutting fashion and, thus, the band in non-expanded position.

Referring now to the figures, a preferred embodiment of this invention will be described in detail. The band segment shown in FIGS. l through 4 comprises four individual links designated by the reference numerals 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d. Adjacent links are assembled in inverted or reverse fashion with respect to one another. That is to say, that the body sections 11a, 11b, 11e and 11d, respectively, are alternately positioned at the interior and exterior surfaces of the band. Thus, body sections 1|1a and 11c lie on the exterior or exposed surface of the `band segment while body sections 11b and 11d lie on the concealed or interior surface of the band. The links are basically identical regardless of whether they face the interior or exterior surface of the band, the only difference being that exposed body sections 11a and llc be decoratively finished ordinarily while the concealed sections would not be accorded such treatment.

Each of the body sections has affixed to each extremity thereof, an open spiral-like connecting section. Thus, as denoted in FIG. 2, link 10a has connecting sections 12a and 12a; link 10b has connecting sections 12b and 12b; link 10c` has connecting sections 12e and 12c'; and link 10d has connecting sections 12d and 12d. Each of the spiral-like connecting sections comprises an exterior side wall 13, an exterior connecting segment 14, an interior side wall 15, an interior connecting segment 16, and a spring bearing member 17. The sections are designed so as to be telescopically engageable from the side or transversely to the reach of the band when the band links are assembled together in alternately opposed fashion. Thus. spiral-like connecting section 12a of link 10a slidably interlits with spiral-like connecting section 12b of link 10b. Similarly, connecting section 12b of link 10b slidably interts with connecting section 12C of link 10c and section 12e telescopically engages section 12d of link 10d. The progression is continued, of course, until the desired length of band has been obtained.

The spiral connecting sections are dimensioned in such a manner that a compressible spring member (see FIG. 5) may be slid into the central space between associated spring bearing members 17. Thus, spring Ztlab is slid into the space between the bearing members 1711 and I7a; spring 20bc is slid into the space between bearing members 17C and 17b; and spring 20cd is slid into the space between bearing members 17d and 17C'.

The compressive nature of the spring causes the exterior side walls of alternate links (for example walls 13a and 13C) to be drawn into abutment with one another. When opposite extremities of the band are pulled in diverging directions, the sp-ring members 17 compress and the clearance between the exterior side wall and interior side wall (for example, walls 13b yand 15a) permits the band to expand, Upon relaxation of the diverging pressure, the springs expand and the band returns to its shortened configuration.

Each of the body sections is provided with a bendable side flange, extending from either side thereof. The fianges, preferably, are slightly less than half the width of the band as indicated in FIG. l. Once the links have been assembled, the anges are folded upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the link position to seal the individual links together and the compression springs therein. Thus, the flanges 18a and 18C on either side of links 10a and c are folded downwardly while the flanges 18h and 18d on either side of links 10b and 10d are folded upwardly.

Referring specifically to FIG. l, an end connector assembly suitable for utilization in conjunction with the band may be easily formed by merely converting one of the open spiral-like connecting sections into a closed, spiral-like configuration indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. In this particular case, the various walls have been closed directly upon each other to provide a cylindrical aperture 31 through which the conventional end pin is adapted to fit. The connection so formed is an integral part of the band and, therefore, cannot be accidentally pulled free thereform resulting in either loss of or damage to the wearers watch.

FIG. 4 illustrates specifically the manner in which the novel configuration permits twisting of the band transversely as well as in the direction of normal wrist curvature, When such twisting is experienced, the clearances within the spiral-like connecting sections permits one side of the spring to compress while the opposite side remains expanded. Since the individual links lare relatively small, the large number of these connections permits twisting or turning of the band to virtually any conguration without fear of breaking or damaging it.

The body sections 11a and llc will ordinarily be embossed or otherwise finished with a decorative surface. It may be desirable, for example, to form the upper links from a different material than the lower links or a suitable product may be obtained by merely stamping a decorative pattern on the upper body sections.

One of the salutary features of the band is the ease with which its length can be adjusted. When it is desired to lengthen or shorten a particular band, it is necessary only to lift the side franges on appropriate links and telescopically disengage the two or more links which it is desired to remove from the adjacent links. These adjacent links then can be rejoined by telescopically engaging them, inserting the spring into the space between the bearing member 17 and repositioning the bendable side anges. It is virtually impossible to reassemble the connection in erroneous fashion and, since the spring is the only free component, there is little chance of any parts being lost. The band may be lengthened with similar ease as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

iCircular flexibility of the band-ie. the bendability about the wearers wrist-depends primarily on the clearance provided between adjacent components of the joined spiral connections and these dimensions may be specified during conventional design procedures. Despite the rather complicated appearance of the individual links, they may be accurately fabricated by any of a number of wellknown, relatively simple processes, such as by drawing a continuous band through 'a series of dyes and slowly curving it into the desired configuration, In this particular case, it would be possible to fabricate a continuous blank and thereafter slide it into the desired widths, suitable allowance being made, of course, for the provision of the side fianges 18. Alternate methods of manufacture will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated as comprising a continuous expandable band, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the link structure which is the subject of this invention may be utilized for many other purposes. Thus, for example, three or four of the links might be placed on either side of the clasp in a flexible but non-expandable fashion band. In such an arrangement, the links serve not only to resiliently tighten the band about the wearers wrist but, additionally, provide a means whereby a single band may be sized to the wearers wrist by selectively inserting or removing the expandable links.`The resultant configuration is more structurally sound as well as eye appealing than link structures now utilized in such arrangements.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many other embodiments may be conceived and fabricated without departing from the spirit of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Such other embodiments are to be deemed as included within the scope of the following claims unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In an expandable bracelet having a series of resiliently connected links, adjacent of said links having body sections exposed at the interior and exterior surfaces of said bracelet, respectively and means for interconnecting said adjacent links, said means comprising an open generally spiral-like connecting section affixed to the body section of each said adjacent link, said spiral-like sections adapted to be transversely telescopically interengaged, said means permitting elongating relative sliding movement of said links with respect to one another, and means for resiliently biasing said links toward abutment with one another.

2. The bracelet as set forth in claim l. which further comprises side flanges extending from each side of the body sections of said adjacent links, said flanges being adapted to be bent in converging fashion generally perpendicular to the planes of their respective body sections to retain said adjacent links in said telescopic interengagement.

3. The bracelet as set forth in claim 2 wherein said side anges do not overlap one another when bent in said converging fashion.

4. The bracelet as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spiral-like sections terminate in spaced bearing members disposed generally perpendicular to the plane of their respective body sections, said bearing members converging toward and receding from one another as said links are expanded and retracted, respectively, said biasing means comprising a compression spring positioned between said bearing members.

5. The bracelet as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said spiral-like sections comprises a general continuation of its associated body section which coils in approaching fashion about a point spaced from said body section on the non-exposed side thereof, said continuation coiling about said point for at least 360 to terminate in one of said bearing members.

6. The bracelet as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a closed spiral-like connecting section affixed to the body section of one of said links on the end opposite from said open spiral-like connecting section, said closed section providing a means whereby said bracelet may be removably affixed to a watch or the like by means of a conventional pin passing therethrough.

7. An expandable bracelet comprising:

a series of links, each of said links having a base member, each extremity lof said base member having an telescopcally engaged end portions to retain them in open spiral-like end portion aixed thereto, said porengaged relationship. tions having a side wall extending generally trans- Versely from said base member, continuous exten- References Cited sions of said sidewalls converging toward one an- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS other, toward said base, back toward said associated side-Wall and terminating in a spring bearing memrecltt ber, each said spiral-like end portion adapted to tele- 2866312 12/1958 Kers en 11 59-79 scopically engage with the spiral-like end portion on 3008289 11/1961 Gusmall l; "59 79 5 an adjacent link in alternately reversed fashion in a 10 ey usc e w direction transverse t-o the reach of the bracelet; FOREIGN PATENTS means for retaining said end portions in said telescopic 1,030,598 3/1958 Germany.

engagement; and compressible resilient means positioned between the CHARLES W LANHAM,Prmary Examiner.

sprin bearing members. t 8. The gbracelet as set forth in claim 7 wherein said 15 G' P' CROSBY Asssmm Exammer retaining means comprise side flanges extending from each U S C1 X R side of said base members, said flanges being adapted to 63 5 244 4 be bent over the transverse extremities of each of the 

